Health Fair volunteers practice patient skills
by Cindy A. Abole, Public Relations
Multicultural
Nursing Association president Sheila Gibbs teaches third grader Diamond
Greer about the healthy values of blood pressure screenings.
Each year, MUSC students, health care professionals and community volunteers gather under one roof to apply their medical experience and practice valuable patient skills during the Annual Health and Wellness Fair is held every February at Arthur Christopher City Gym.
In a massive volunteer effort, students from the Colleges of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Nursing, Health Professions, Graduate Studies and Pharmacy spend anywhere from a few hours to an entire day working at this annual event.
Much of the time logged by students is recognized by the MUSC Gives Back Student Community Volunteer Program. Since August 1993, the program has effectively matched individuals, student groups and service organizations together to influence the positive role of volunteerism within the Lowcountry community.
“Events like health fairs and community screenings help broaden community interaction, especially in areas that are lacking in good community service,” said Liz Sheridan, MUSC Gives Back director. “Students learn to sense the benefits of providing helpful information and resources which can contribute to proper health care.”
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student Elita Wyckoff, a member of the Student National Medical Assoc.,
explains the blood screening process to a health fair participant.
Members of the Multicultural Nursing Association (MNA) provided blood pressure testing at the Wellness Fair. This newly formed group, with 15 student members, is raising its visibility around campus by getting involved in outreach projects and activities, said MNA volunteer coordinator Danielle Ellington.
Third semester nursing student Seng Silapheth was glad to contribute her time and experience at the annual event. She was pleased to work with a variety of patients. Asked if she helped patients make any important discoveries, she nodded. Silapheth helped a 77-year-old man detect high blood pressure during a screening. She sat and talked further with him about the effects of the disease, encouraged routine blood pressure checks and suggested he visit his regular doctor or health care provider.
“This has been a good experience for all of us because it allows us to work with patients of different ages,” Silapheth said. “That’s good because it helps us promote good health awareness and healthy habits for different people.”
Other MNA members present included group president Sheila Gibbs, Lucretia Jennings, Sumiko Smith, Demtrica Bookert and Leslie Brown-Shuler.
Members representing the Student National Medical Association also participated. Anika Goodwin, Natarsha Grant and Elita Wyckoff also supported the blood work and blood pressure screenings.
College of Dental Medicine (CDM) students Minh Nguyen and Lenora Covington spent time teaching youngsters about good dental hygiene. Their work coincides with new academic and community partnerships introduced to the CDM.
“There seems to be a movement at MUSC to initiate more service projects with local communities,” said Sharon H. Crossley, RDH, MPH, community academic coordinator, Department of Stomatology, College of Dental Medicine. “It gives students a chance to give and gain in learning about people’s needs.”
“In the nine years we have organized this event, we hope that the fair gives students a sense of worth for working within their community,” said Delma Maria Woods, Ph.D. and chairperson for the Health and Wellness Fair. “It’s different from what a student learns by reading books versus putting what they’ve learned into practice. It’s been a great opportunity.”
For information, contact the MUSC Gives Back Office at 792-4094.